Combination lock



Nov. 5, 1940. J. EBER 2,220,148

COMBINATION LOCK Filed Dec. 15, 1939 40 J5 J5 INVENTOR.

57 44 J40. 5295/? /1g 7| 1- BY J9 ATTO NEY.

Patented Nov. 5 1940 UNITED- STATES PATENT OFFICE This invention relates to looks, particularly of What is termed the padlock type, and more particularly to a lock of this kind employing a combination dial control of the opening of the lock, 5' thus eliminating the use of keys usually employed in looks of this type and kind; The object of the invention is to provide a lockme'chanism having a very simple and practicalarrangement p of a combination control as well as a simple 10' form of lock casing and other operating parts, whereby a lock of the kind under consideration may be produced at a nominal cost; a further object being to provide a combination control for ,V locks of the character described. employing two l5 or more combination wheels mounted upon a lock pin movable transversely of the lock casing and with respect to the movement of the shackle of the lock in. controlling the release of the shackle, at least one end of' the pin being exposed 20 through the lock casing for manual operation; a still further object being to provide a lock casing recessed at oneside thereof to permit swinging movement of the shackle while limiting the degree of inward and outwardm'ovement of the shackle with respect to the lock casing; and with these and other objects inview, the invention consists in a lock of thejclass and for the purpose specified which is simple'in'construction, efficient in use and which is constructedas here- 3 inafter described and claimed. 3

The inventionis fully disclosed in the following specification of which the accompanying drawing forms a part, in which the several parts of my invention are designated by suitable ref- 25 erence characters in each of the'views; and in which:

Fig. 1 is'a sideand sectional view of one form of lock made according to my invention with the parts in locked position.

40 Fig. 2 is a section substantially on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1. Y

Fig. 3 is a view looking in the direction of the arrow 3 of Fig. 2, with parts ofthe construction broken away and in section andindicating the 45 movement of the parts into unlockedposition.

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5=-5 of Fig. 1';

Fig. 6 is a sectionalview'thr'ough a modified form of lock construction showing anotheriad- 50 aptation of my invention; and

Fig. '7 is a sectional detail view of a part'o'f another modified form of lock which I employ.

The present application constitutes a continuation in part of the structure disclosedin my 55 prior application, Serial No. 285,831 filed-July 22, 1939, which has become PatentJNo. 2,189,342, dated Feb. 6, 1940, and deals primarily with the construction of locks of thetype and kind eniploying a shackle or bolt movable into and out of or relatively to a lock casing. While broadly 6" speaking the construction of combination padlocks is not new, in most locks of this type and kind complicated and expensive lock members are employed which, by reason of their excessive manufacturing costs and selling prices, materially 10 restrict the use thereof. It is the purpose of my invention. to materially simplify and economize on the constructionof locks of this type and kind so as to adaptthe same for all usessat the same time presenting a lock which will be protected against the weather and which will be substantially fool-proof in operation.

In Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive I have shown at H! a relatively small lock casing, especially with respect to the size. of the shackle H employed, and from certainnew standpoints, the illustration in Figs. 1 and 2 ofthe drawing are considerably enlarged. In, other words, comparatively small locks may be constructed according to my invention adaptable for use on small cases, as well as on'various types and kinds of luggage where the use of small padlocks is desirable. This is especially true on golf bags or the various pockets and closures of golf bags where dispensing with a key, subject to being. lost, is extremely desirable and where one combination of all the locks on'the bags may be the same so that only one set of numbersneed be remembered.

The casing H] has extending longitudinally 85 thereof, a bore or passage l2 subdivided transversely at intervals by transverse openings or passages l3, I4 and I5 in which'are arranged numeral discs or dials l6, l1 and i8 controlling the combination of the lock, as will be apparent. 40 Mountedin the'borel2 is a lock pin l9 which forms the axis about which the discs [6, I! and I3 are free to rotate, when the spaced key elements 2(ion the pin l9 are disposed in the keyway 2| of the bore l2, as shown in Fig. 1 of the [15 drawing, and not in key-ways 22 of the respective dials l6, l1 and i8. Another key element 20a is employed on the pin. l9 to constantly remain in the key-way 2| to prevent the pin l9 from rotating regardless of the position assumed by the pin as later described.

It will be understood that by setting-the dials 16, I1 and 18 in a predetermined alinement of the numerals on the surface of the dial with respect to a mark upon the surface of-the casing to the dotted line position in Fig. 3.

portion 23 on one surface of the pin l9will be brought into registering alinement with the swinging end 24' of the shackle II, and simultaneously the springs 25 will move the shackle l outwardly, permitting the swinging movement of the shackle on the end 26 thereof into an open position, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3 of the drawing. I r 1 In the construction shown in Figs. 1 to' 5 inclusive, the pin l9 has a fixed head lga'at'. one end and a removable head I911 at the opposite end, the removable head lilb being provided simply to facilitate assemblage of the lock and replacement of the dials in changing the combination whenever desired. These head ends limit the movement of the lock pin in both directions, the finger of the hand being utilized to move said lock pin in both directions.

The end 26 of the shackle has an elongated recess 27 which limits sliding movement of said end of the shackle with respect to the lock pin I9, but the lower or inner end of the recess 21 opens into a reduced angular groove 28 which is positioned on the pin |9-when the shackle is extended outwardly by the springs25 to act as a keying means whichwill permit rotation of the shackle'around the end 26 which acts as a pivot.

The end 24 of the shackle is provided with a recess 29 to receive the pin l9 when the pin is in the locked position, as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawing. This serves to support the shackle in the inwardly xtended position against the tension of springs 25 seating inaperturesSfl formed in the casing Hi to receive the shackle ends 24, 26, note Fig. 3 of the drawing. It will thus be seen that when the pin I9 is movedfrom the full lineposition intothe dotted line position of Fig. 3, the recess 23 will be brought into alinement with the shackle end 24, allowing the shackle to move outwardly. Whenin this position, the lower extremity of the shackle end-.24 will be disposed above the recessed part 3! of the casing Ill, note Fig. 2, and be free to swing outwardly into the dotted line position as indicated in Fig. 3.

To return the shackle to locked position, the

same is first swung back to bring the end 24 in alinement with its companion bore or passage 30. The shackle is then moved in the direction 'of the casing, compressing the springs 25 in'this oper ation, and the pin is moved from its dotted line position Fig. 3, into the full line position. In this position,v the dials l6, l1 and I8 may be turned to break the combination and a proper re-setting thereof will then be necessary to facilitate opening of the lock.

Each dial I6, I] and I8 is provided with spaced transverse grooves 32 on the surface thereof adapted to register with spring actuated bearing balls 33 supported in the casing Ill, note Fig. 3.

The springs 34 operating upon the balls are light tensioned simply to support thevarious discs or dials I6, I! and IS in positions of manual adjustment or setting and to avoid accidental displacement while bringing the proper seriesof numhers in a common alinement.

. 2,220,148 I 0 adjacent said discs, all of the keyways 22 The structure shown in Fig. 6 differentiates from the construction shown in Figs. 1 to inclusive, primarily in eliminating rotary or swinging movement of the shackle Ila. In other words, in this construction, th shackle simply moves toward and from the lock casing Ina as in other types of padlock constructions. As a matter of fact, it is immaterial as to just what type of shackleor closure loop is employed, the important feature being that the control or lock pin engages a recess or other portion thereof to support the same in locked position.

In Fig. 6, the shackle end 35 is provided with a recess 35a which engages the lock pin 36. The other end 31 of the shackle has a long recess 38 engaging the pin 36 as will be apparent. Aside from modifying the structure of the lock casing Illa to adapt it for use with a shackle such as H a, the lock mechanism will function the same as in the lock shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive. Therefore, further description is unnecessary, except in stating that onespring 39 is employed to move the shackle outwardly and operates only on the end 37 of the shackle. tion the control discs orfdials are indicated at [6a, Ila. and 18a.

In Fig. 7 of the drawing I have shown another adaptation of the invention which may be applied tothe locks of the structure shown in Figs. 1 to 6 as well as in conjunctionwith other types of lock mechanisms. In this figure, I have indicated at 4|] part of the lock casing and at 4| a part of a shackle comprising two ends 42 and 43. The end 42 is flattened as seen at 44 to move relatively to a lock pin 45, whereas the end 43 has a notch or recess 46 for the reception of the enlarged latch end 4'! of the pin 45. With this construction, the casing 40 will be provided with an aperture 48 closed by a. plug 49 whereby the removal of the plug will permit assemblage of the pin 45in the casing and the attachment thereof at will.

The pin 45 protrudes through the other end of the casing and has a knob 55 detachably coupled therewith. The plug 49 preferably has a knob end 50a to match the knob end 50 so as to produce a balanced effect.

It will be understood that two, three or more combination cylinders or discs may be provided in any lock; To simplify the illustration and show one simple adaptation of the lock, two control discs 5| and 52 are arranged in the casing 40 to rotate about the lock pin 45, similar to the discs [6, l7 and I8. The discs have key slots 53 for the reception of keys 54 on the pin 45 when the discs 5| and 52 are brought into proper registering alinement or setting to facilitate movement of the latch end 4'! of the pin out of engagement with the recess 45 and the part 43 of the shackle. This movement of the pin is accomplished by hand engaging the finger piece knob 50 and is performed against the tension of a spring 55 arranged in a. socket 56 in the body 40. It will thus be seen that upon releasing the pin 45, the same will automatically move into locked position, and it will thus be seen that by reasonof the taper on the latch end 41, inward movement of the part 43 of the shackle will automatically move the pin to the right as shown in the drawing. The spring will likewise automatically move the latch 41 into operative position. The spring pressed balls 51 similar to the balls 33 aresupported in the casing 40 to retain the discs 5|, 52 in different positions of adjustment. It will also appear that a key 5411 is pro- In this construcvided, on the pin operating in a key-way 58 in the casing 40"to: retainthe. pin 45 against rotation.

In the construction shown in Fig. '7, a spring 59 may be employed to move the shackle 4| outwardly when released by the pin 45, as in the teachings in Fig. 6.

Itwill be understood: that the construction shown in Fig. '7 or the drawing will adapt itself for use in connection with shackles which are entirely detachable with respect to the lock casing, as. are commonly known in the padlock art. By. incorporating a number of the notches or recesses 45 in the part 43 of the shackle, the shackle'may be locked in differentpositions of adjustment. While the shackleis locked against outward movement When. engaging one recess, the inward movement of the shackle can be otherwise restricted as will be apparent.

The type of pin lockelement disclosed in Fig. '7 will eliminate one movement of. the pin which is necessary in connection withthe structures in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive. In these; figures, the pin is moved manually in both directions and. frictionally maintains-the position into which it is moved. In Fig. 7,.the lock pin or element always maintains a locked positionand is manuallyo-perated to move the same into unlocked position, and when released automatically, returns to the lockedposition. It will also be understood that where the need for changing the combination is not required, the plug a. and likewise the knob 50 may constitute fixtures permanently attached after the lock is assembled;

It will of course be apparent that the present construction of the lockmechanism is by no means restricted to locks of the general type and class herein disclosed for illustrative purposes. The pin lock mechanism and the controlling combination dials associated therewith may be used to engage a member of any type and kind inserted into the casing for engagement with the lock pin in retaining said member against displacement from the casing.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as'new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A lock of the class. described comprising a lock casing, a lock pin slidably mounted in the casing, a plurality of combination discs in the casing rotatably mounted on saidpin. cooperating; means between the pin and said discs providing movement of the pin in the casing in one position of setting of saiddiscs, a member movable into and out of the casing inthe path of said lock pin to be engaged by said pin to retain the member against movement relatively to the casing when said lock pin is in operative position, said member having two parts movably supported in the casing in spaced relation to each other, and each of said parts operatively engaging said pin.

2. A lock of the class described comprising a lock casing, a lock pin slidably mounted in the casing, said pin extending completely through said casing to operatively expose both ends of said pin outwardly of the casing, a plurality of combination discs in the casing rotatably mounted on said pin, cooperating means between the pin and said discs providing movement of the pin in the casing in one position of setting of said discs, a member movable into and out of the casing in the path of said lock pin'to be engaged by said pin tozretain. the member against movement relatively to theicasing'when said lock pin is in operative position; said/member having. 1 two parts movably supported?v in the. casingin spaced relation to each. other, eachiofi said parts operativelyengaging said.pin, and means coupling one part of said member with saidpin to provide rotation of. saidlpart inthe casing when said memher is unlocked position with respect to the casing.

3. A look of the class describedcomprising a lock casing, a lock-pin slidably mounted in the casing, a plurality of combination discs. in the casing rotatably mounted on said pin, cooperating means between the pin and said discs providing movement of the pin in; the casing in one position of setting of said discs, a member movable into and out of the casing: in the. path of said lock pin to be engaged by saidpin to retain the member against movement relatively to the casing when said lock pin is in operative position, said member having two parts movably supported in the casing in spaced relation to each other, each ofsaid parts operatively engaging said pin, means coupling one part of said member with said pin to provide rotation of said 'part in the casing when said member is in unlocked position with respect to the casing, said last-named means including a circumferential groove on said member forming a shoulder limiting outward movement of said member, and resilient means cooperating with said member for moving the shoulder thereof into engagement with said pin.

4. A look of the class described comprising a lock casing, a lock pin slidably mounted in the casing, a plurality of combination discs in the casing rotatably mounted on said pin, cooperating means between the pin and said discs providing movement of the pin in the casing in one position of setting of said discs, a member movable into and out of the casing in the path of said lock pin to be engaged by said pin to retain the member against movement relatively to the casing when said lock pin is in operative position, said member having two parts movably supported in the casing in spaced relation to each other, each of said par-ts operatively engaging said pin, means coupling one part of said member with said pinto provide rotation of said part in the casing when said member is in unlocked position with respect to the casing, resilient means moving said part with respect to the casing when released by said lock pin, resilient means engaging each disc to support the same in different positions of adjustment, and means keying said pin against rotation in said casing, said means registering with the means on said pin cooperating with said disks thereby providing for removal of the pin from said casing when the disks are in said position of setting.

5. The combination with a padlock comprising a casing and a shackle movably supported in connection with the casing, of a combination mechanism retaining the shackle in locked position with respect to the casing, said combination mechanism comprising a lock pin movable transversely in the casing, a plurality of combination discs rotatably mounted on said pin, cooperating means between the discs and pin controlling movement of the lock pin from locked to unlocked position in the casing, two end portions of said shackle extending into the casing to be engaged directly by said pin, and cooperating means on the pin and one end portion of the shackle retaining the shackle against movement with respect to the casing when said pin is in locked position.

means between the discs and pin controlling movement of the lock pin from locked tounlocked position in the casing, two end portions of said shackle extending into the casing to be engaged directly by said pin, cooperating means on the pin and one end portion of the shackle retaining the shackle against movement with respect to the casing when said pin is in locked position, cooperating means'ionthe pin and the other end portion'ofsaid shackle providing limited sliding movement of the shackle in said casing and resilient means cooperating with the shackle to move the same relatively to the easing upon the release of said shackle.

'7. The combination with a padlock comprising a casing and a shackle movably supported in connection with the casing, of a combination mecha-, nism retaining the shackle in locked position with respect to the casing, said combination mechanism comprising a lock pin movable transversely in the casing, a plurality of, combination discs rotatably mounted on said pin, cooperating means between the discs and pin controlling movement of 'the lock pin from locked to unlocked position in the casing, the shackle extending into the casing to be engaged directly by said pin, cooperating means on the pin and shackle retaining the shackle against movement with respect to the casing when said pin is in locked position, resilient means cooperating with the shackle to move the same relatively to the casing upon the release of said shackle, said shackle comprising a U-shaped body terminating in independent side arms, and meanson one of said arms engaging said pin in a manner to provide swinging movement of the other'arm with respect to the casing when the shackle is released.

8. The combination with a padlock comprising a casing and a shacklemovably supported in connection with the casing,'of a combination mechanism retaining the shackle in locked position with respect to the casing, said combination mechanism comprising a lock pin movable transversely in the casing, a plurality of combination discs rotatably mounted on said pin, cooperating means between the discs and pin controlling movement of the lock pin from locked to unlocked position in the casing, the shackle extending into the casing to be engaged directly by said pin, cooperating means on the pin and shackle retaining the shackle against movement with respect to the casing when said pin is in locked position, resilient means cooperating with the shackle to move the same relatively to the casingupon the release of said shackle, said shackle comprising a U-shaped body terminating in independent side arms, means .on one'of said arms engaging said pin in a manner to provide swinging movement of the other arm with respect to the casing when the shackle is released, said last-named means limit ingoutward movement of said shackle and means on the lock pin outwardly of the casing for actuating said pin. i

9. A combination lock of the class described comprising a casing, a lock pin movably supported in the casing, a plurality of characterized discs rotatably supported on the pin and exposed through at least part 'of the casing, interengaging means on the pin and said discs controlling movement of thelpin in said casing whereby, in predetermined alinement of the discs with respect to each other and the pin, said pin may be moved in said casing, a member movable into and out of the casing across the path of movement of said pin with at least part of said member disposed for engagement with one end portion of the pin to retain said member against movement with respect to the lock casing, the other end of said pin extending through the casing for manually moving the lock pin in at least one direction, resilient means for moving the lock pin inthe opposite direction, and means whereby movement of said member'into the lock casing will move said pin against the action of said resilient means to provide automatic engagement of the pin with said member. v

.10. A. combination lockof the class described comprising'a casing, a lock pinmovably supported in the casing, aplurality of characterized discs rotatably supported on the pin and exposed through at least part of the casing, interengaging means on the pin and said discs controlling movement of the pin in said casing whereby, in predetermined alinement of the discs with respect to. each other-and the pin, said pin may be moved in said casing, a member movable into and out of the casing across the path of movement of said pin with at least part of said member disposed for engagement with one end portion of the pin to retain said member against movement with respect to the lock casing, the other end of said pin extending through the casing for manually moving the lock pin in at least one direction, resilient means for moving the lock pin in the opposite direction, "means whereby movement of said member into the lock casing will provide automatic movement of the pin into engagement with said member, means keying the pin against rotation in the casing, said pin being slidably removable from said casing when the disks are alined in unlocked position and the engagement of said pin with said member and disks being such that removal of the pin provides complete dismantling of said lock.

11. A'lock ofthe class described comprising a casing, an elongated cylindrical pin in said casing movable longitudinally of its axis, a member having two end portions movable inthe casing transversely to theaxis'of. said pin, and means on each of said end portions directly and operatively engaging said pin to control the movement of said member with respect to said pin and easing.

12. A look of the class described comprising a casing, an elongated cylindrical 'pin in said casing movable longitudinally of its axis, a member having two end portions movable into and out of the casing, means on each of said end portions operatively engaging said pin, said last-named means comprising a notch in one of said end portions interlocking with said pin in one position of longitudinal movement thereof, and means on said other end portion providing limited sliding and rotary movement of said end portion with respect to said pin when the pin is disengaged from said first-named end portion.

13. A combination lock of the character described comprising a casing having a plurality of grooves and recesses extending transversely thereof, and :an elongated passage extending longitudinally therethi'ough'fand communicating with said grooves and recesses, a combination Wheel arranged in each of said grooves and a shackle having spaced end portions slidably arranged in said recesses, a spring in at least one of said recesses resiliently engaging the corresponding end of said shackle, a spring actuated member in an ofiset portion of each of said grooves resiliently engaging the corresponding combination wheel, and a pin slidably arranged in said elongated passage forming the sole means for supporting said combination wheels, shackle, and resilient means in connection with said casing, said pin having means at opposed ends thereof operatively engaging opposed end portions of the shackle to control locked and unlocked positions thereof, and cooperating means on said pin and combination wheels controlling longitudinal movement of said pin between positions of locked and unlocked engagement with said shackle.

14. A combination lock of the class described comprising a casing, a lock pin slidably mounted in the casing, said pin extending completely through said casing to operatively expose both ends of the pin outwardly of the casing, a plurality of characterized discs rotatably supported on the pin and exposed through at least part of the casing, interengaging means on the pin and said discs controlling movement of the pin in said casing, a shackle having two end portions slidab-ly movable in the casing in a plane transversely offset with respect to the axis of said lock pin, and means on each end of said shackle operatively engaging said lock pin.

15. A combination lock of the class described comprising a casing, a lock pin slidably mounted in the casing, said pin extending completely through said casing to operatively expose both ends of the pin outwardly of the casing, a plurality of characterized discs rotatably supported on, the pin and exposed through at least part of the casing, interengaging means on the pin and said discs controlling movement of the pin in said casing, a shackle having two end portions slidably movable in the casing in a plane transversely offset with respect to the axis of said lock pin, means ,on each end of said shackle operatively engaging said lock pin, said last named means comprising cut out portions in said ends of the shackle extending transversely to the axes of said ends, and a cut out portion in at least one end of said pin extending transversely to the axis thereof.

JACK EBER. 

